Jesus on the afterlife

Luke 16:19-31
by Brian Knitter

Today’s passage is about Lazarus and a rich man. Not only is this a parable, but it is also a description of the afterlife.

The rich man in this parable was hard-hearted towards Lazarus, a beggar, during their time on earth. When they both died, the rich man went to hell, where he was tormented. Lazarus went to heaven, where he was comforted. In a conversation across the chasm between heaven and hell, the rich man begged Abraham to allow Lazarus return to earth so he could warn the rich man’s brothers about the afterlife. Abraham replied: “They have Moses and the Prophets. If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.” (Luke 16:29b, 31) The moral of this parable is to listen to Moses and the Prophets, and to treat others well. But, there is more going on as well.

Not only is this a parable, but it’s a glimpse into the afterlife. Jesus spoke of what He knew. As God, He would know about the afterlife, and some of the description shows up in this passage. Based on this passage: arriving in the afterlife is immediate; you are welcomed and comforted in heaven; you remember all the things you did on earth (and are judged for them); there is a great chasm between heaven and hell that no one can cross; the people in hell can see what they are missing in heaven; they are in torment and agony; there is fire. Our world teaches many different things about the afterlife, and sometimes we can get sucked-up into this world view, making part of it our own belief, but these are the things Jesus said, so as Christians, these are the things we should believe.

There is also the last line in the passage to consider: “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.” Clearly, this is a foreshadowing of Jesus’ own death and resurrection, as Jesus did indeed rise from the dead. It was true then, and it is true now — if people choose not to believe what Moses and the Prophets said (in the Bible), then even Jesus’ resurrection from the dead won’t convince them. Their hearts need to be softened so they can receive this message. It’s our job to talk with these people, and pray for these people, and let the Holy Spirit work in them.